Excessive Speed Believed Possible Factor in Fatal Collision

On Saturday, January 19, 2013, at approximately 8:42 p.m., Long Beach Police responded to Del Amo Boulevard just east of Orange Avenue regarding a single vehicle injury traffic collision that resulted in the death of a male adult.

When officers arrived, they discovered an overturned white 2002 Chevy Suburban that had contained six occupants. Four of the occupants had been ejected from the vehicle, with two trapped inside that were extricated by the Long Beach Fire Department. All six occupants, males in their 20’s, were transported to local hospitals with varyiing injuries. One of the passengers, identified as 29-year-old Vernon Onofia of Long Beach, was pronounced deceased at the hospital as a result of injuries sustained from the collision. Two of the passengers were treated and released from the hospital. The driver and the other two passengers were admitted and listed in critical but stable condition.

Investigators believe the driver was traveling eastbound on Del Amo Boulevard at a high rate of speed when he lost control of the vehicle, causing him to strike the center divider and flipping the vehicle several times before it came to rest in the eastbound lanes of Del Amo Boulevard.

Prior to striking the center divider, witnesses observed the SUV possibly racing a dark colored vehicle eastbound on Del Amo Boulevard. The vehicle, described as a 4-door dark colored newer model Infinity, possibly a G35, with tinted windows and possibly being driven by a male Black, 30 to 40 years of age. The Infinity stopped at the scene of the crash, and then drove off westbound on Del Amo Boulevard and north on Orange Avenue. Detectives would like to speak with the driver of the Infinity in regards to what he observed. Anyone who might be able to identify him or the vehicle should contact police.

Whether alcohol may have been a factor in the collision is under investigation.